Pacific Routes

NOTE: You will find this readme file more helpful if you print it.

The Pacific Routes are presently only suitable for FS2004. That's because the Drift Meter, Sextant gauge and DC-3 Auto-mixture controls only function in FS2004. The DC-4s have working Auto-mixture controls for FS2002 or FS2004.

Be of good cheer, though. FS2002 versions are on the way! Watch for the announcement.

GETTING STARTED
===============

File: pacific_routes.zip

There are quite a few files and folders in the pacific_routes.zip file. We strongly recommend that you begin by creating a folder on your hard drive to hold all of the files. Thus you'll always know where the files are when you want to setup a flight or check a reference.

Download (or copy and paste) the main file, pacific_routes.zip, into your new folder.

Unzip the pacific_routes.zip into this same folder. 

You will find eleven new files or folders. 

1) ... readme_pacific_routes.txt ... this readme file.

THE GAUGES
==========

2) ... dc3_bbsx.zip ... the Sextant gauge. Unzip that file and install it now. Instructions are in that zip file.

3) ... driftmeter.zip ... the Drift Meter gauge. Unzip that file and install it now. Instructions are in that zip file.


OTHER DOCUMENTS
===============

4) ... db_lr_nav.pdf ... Dave Bitzer's tutorial on navigating long range flights. Print that document and use it in conjunction with the Drift Meter and Sextant User Manuals. These two user manuals and the tutorial will teach you the basics of Celestial Navigation.

5) ... pacific_route_map.jpg ... the main route map showing the Pacific Routes. Print this map and keep it handy for when choosing your flights.

6) ... Flight_notes_01.htm ... Open this file with your browser. It contains very important information needed when planning your flights.

7) ... pacific1941.jpg ...

8) ... pacific1942.jpg ...

Print these two maps. You will consult them when determining which flights to fly based on the progress of the World War Two. These maps will also open from links in the Flight Notes document. But the resolution of the printed copy will be much better.

9) ... pacific_routes_03.pdf ... This PDF document contains the specific details for planning your flights. It also contains the flight numbers for submitting PIREPS.

10) ... pac_pln.zip ... Here are the 31 Microsoft .pln files.

11) ... Readme_pln_files ... this will show you how to use .pln files if they are unfamiliar to you. You will find them very simple to load and use, actually.

AUTO-MIXTURE CONTROLS
=====================

If you will be flying the DC-4, the auto-mixture controls are already on the panel. If you are flying the default fs9 DC-3 or the MAAM-SIM DC-3 (not the R4D!) then you should download and install the appropriate auto-mixture controls. Links to these files are on our Pacific Routes Webpage.


SUBMITTING PIREPS
=================

All Pacific Route Flight names begin with "PAC" ... Presently PAC01 through PA31. 

All flights may also be flown in reverse, as mentioned in the Flight Notes. But add an "R" at the end of the Flight Number when submitting your PIREP, such as "PAC23R"

TIME TO FLY
===========

OK, enough theory and gauge installation. Choose your first flight, plan how much fuel is needed, and when best to depart or arrive for the most accurate navigation. Remember maximum payload is the goal, so plan full gross weight flights, safely trading off fuel for payload.

Create a map with the .pln file, print it, and mark where you plan to take sun sightings. Determine how long after departure that you will arrive at each of those points from simple time and distance calculations. Can't use the .pln files after starting the flights because they will show your exact position. Instead, you want to determine that by sun sightings.

Use the Drift Meter to determine the effects of the wind on your course (and maybe your piloting if you let your mind wander).

Now you're flying and navigating just as they did in the 1940s. No VORs, No GPS, just pin-point accuracy the old fashioned way.

WANT TO SUBMIT A FLIGHT?
========================

OK, now that you're familiar with the sort of information needed for a flight you will agree it isn't a large task to create one or two more. We'd love it if you could do that. Simply put the details in an Email and send it to dc3airways@yahoo.com and put "Pacific Routes" in the subject line. Thank you!

THANKS ONCE AGAIN
=================

A project such as this that includes flights, sun-sightings, navigation, trade-offs, gauges, and planning doesn't just fall out of the sky. Thanks to Dave Bitzer, Mark Beaumont, Norman Hancock, and Mark Thomas for their fine contributions.

Charles Wood
April, 2005

 









